契
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: to carve
💡 Imagine carving a contract into wood with a large knife (大 + 刀 radical).
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
契 (qì) originally depicts carving notches on wood or bone, as in ancient Chinese record-keeping. It signifies a binding agreement or contract, reflecting the cultural value placed on written pledges. The character also appears in the idiom '契而不舍' (qì ér bù shě), meaning 'to persevere'—literally 'to carve without stopping'—highlighting diligence as a virtue.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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